Bigdaddy's Giving It A Go

[bigdaddy]

Hi everyone,

I've managed to clear out a corner in my garage and thought I'd give a backyard aquaculture setup a go.

I have very limited space, you can see I have 2 IBC's a 500 litre Bunnings tank with a 200 litre tank in the middle the Bunnings tank has 50 litres of Kaldness K1 with 3 airdiscs to provide a Moving bed Biofilter, in side that tank is my home bred radial solids separator, and ATM I have a sump of to the side with my original elcheapo submersible, I have tried to use the spare fittings and pipework I have at home..later I will get a smaller pump.

Pic 1: Complete setup.

Pic 2: Sump.

Pic 3 : Radial solids seperator.

Pic 4: Filtration setup.

Pic 5: Moving bed biofilter with solids seperator inside it.

Cheers.

[Pugo]

Pic 5: Moving bed biofilter with solids seperator inside it.

Now how does your solids separator work? I didn't see any static media or brushes so I am a little curious I don't think a swirl filter will remove enough waste to effective. So whats the plan it does look very cool though

[bigdaddy]

Hi Pugo,

Earthan group has some info on his website on the solids separator, with the guidance of Paul, Gary and Chainsaw, (thanks guys) I finally got hold of the concept, and adapted one to suit my system.

I originally had no other filtration apart from my growbeds, then I quickly made up a swirl filter and added a sump to my system, which without a doubt, helped with water quality issues then I implemented this idea and changed my swirl to this.The radial separator or whatever you want to call it, does a much better job than the swirl. I haven't really seen the need for brushes. and I can tell you I've grown some nice Barramundi and rainbow trout from my systems.

The water comes from the fish tank, down the side of 500 litre tub, and through the side of the 200 litre tub, an elbow shoots the water up to the top and the water then does a 'U' turn to travel down the larger pvc pipe , most of the lighter fish wastes float to the top of the tube and the heavier solids and water go to the bottom of the tube..The water then does another 'U' turn to come up to the top of the 200 litre tub and most of the heavier solids continue to settle down the bottom..The water then goes out of the top of the tub and though to the MBBR. As I have made this seperator from my previous swirl there is one or two more PVC pipes on the side but they are now used as plugs. The 200 litre drum is sat on top of about 4 pvc reo holders which allows for any bio film to settle on the bottom of the tank after being knocked off by the chaotic movement of the K1.

I will be adding an air manifold down the bottom to clean the media when needed. The pipes down the bottom are just pipes I accidently knocked into the soup lol and haven't been bothered fetching them out yet.

It does sound complicated but really it is not.. Maybe others can explain better than me.

[GaryD]

Hi BD,

So, coming over to the dark side, hey?

I will be adding an air manifold down the bottom to clean the media when needed.

Which media are planning on cleaning. In any case, a 6" airstone will do just as well as a manifold and is much easier to set up.

Gary

[bigdaddy]

Hi BD,

So, coming over to the dark side, hey?

Gary

He,he,he Gary... No, always thought about doing this, just couldn't find the room in my Garage. Also the 'silent' aerator was too noisy effecting the neighbours..Now there is no probs with that.

Off course about the manifold..No need for it..makes sense thanks for reminding me.

I'll take another picture soon..But I really don't have the room for my 500 lite tank so it's back to the 3 200 litre tubs..They fit nicely next to the IBC'S and the IBC'S can fit neatly into the corner giveing me more room to work on the solids separator, and the wife more room around her car when she drives it in.

Cheers.

[Shane]

and the wife more room around her car when she drives it in.

LOL,
Its Valentine's Day tomorrow...so don't broach the subject of her parking out on the street from now on just yet

[GaryD]

Hi BD,

There are lots of good reasons to run a RAS. They are compact and are quick and easy to set up and operate.

We've always got the components for a little RAS on hand.....so that, if someone (like Paul) offers us some advanced fingerlings, we're able to accommodate them without too much fuss.

They are a perfect companion to some wicking beds.....or from which to water other soil-based gardens, trees or lawns.

Gary

[kellenw]

Looking good BD!